Southeast Asia - Thailand, Laos & Vietnam Adventure
Southeast Asia - Thailand, Laos & Vietnam Adventure
From the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok to Halong Bay's magnificent limestone karsts, this trip encompasses the highlights of Indochina. Marvel at the majestic granite peak of Doi Suthep, explore a traditional Hmong village, and savour noodles in Chiang Mai. Shop for souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City and join the locals sipping coffee at a lakeside café in Hanoi. With hotels, transport, and a number of included activities arranged by our CEOs, this adventure offers up the perfect combination of must-see highlights and free time.
This small group experience (Max 15, avg 12) is ideal for single travellers, couples, small groups and as long as you are over 18, these trips are the ideal and safest way to explore Southeast Asia. We book comfortable tourist-class accommodation with character, a mix of public & private transport, included meals, all of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, at a great price. The itinerary includes some light walking and hiking and is suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging!
What's Included
- Flights & Taxes with Malaysian Airlines via Amsterdam & Kuala Lumpur
- Internal flights as per the itinerary
- Transport
- Activities as per itinerary
- Border crossing support
What's Excluded:
- Meals not included in itinerary
- Visas
- Gratuities
Best Time to Visit
Oct-Mar: From experience, we find the best time to visit Southeast Asia is between October and March. It’s usually cooler and the weather should be dry. The rainy season usually kicks off in April across the region and may run until late October.
Single Travellers
We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. However - during your tour, sometimes it's just more convenient and comfortable to have your own room. That's why we offer the "My Own Room" option - a single room all to yourself and this will cost from € 829.- extra.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Bangkok
Today is your arrival day, so there are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the pace of life in Bangkok - but make sure you're back in time to meet your group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your trip. You MUST arrive on tour with your Vietnam visa. There is no way to procure this once the tour has commenced
Day 2: Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Today you travel by longtail boat on the busy Chao Phraya River. Go through the smaller klongs (canals) to see skyscrapers, temples, and shops in the distance, and the densely populated waterfront settlements up close. Immerse yourself in Thai Buddhist culture and visit the famous giant 46m reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf. Relax with a traditional Thai massage at the country’s leading school of massage at Wat Po.
Optional Activities:
- Visit the King’s official residence (made up of many buildings, halls, lawns, gardens, and courtyards) on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. See the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Phra Maha Monthien Buildings.
- Visit Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple and one of Thailand’s best known landmarks. Tour inside to see its central prang (a Khmer-style tower) adorned with colourful porcelain.
- Tour the Jim Thompson House, a Bangkok museum that was once the home of American businessman Jim Thompson, the “Legendary American of Thailand.” See his collection of Buddhist and secular art, amassed while building his silk company.
In the evening, board the overnight train to Chiang Mai. Note: Due to disruptions of Thai trains in the north during the monsoon season, trips running July through October may use alternative transport.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3: Chiang Mai
Arrive by train early this morning and with so much to do in Chiang Mai, you should make the most of your free time here. Choose from a range of optional activities or stroll the city independently.
In late afternoon, set off to visit the temple complex, Doi Suthep. Climb the 300-step naga (mystical serpent) staircase to one of northern Thailand's most sacred temples, or opt to take a cable car and enjoy the view. Learn all about Doi Suthep’s history from a local guide – built on top of a mountain, the temple sits among pagodas, statues, bells and shrines.
Optional Activities:
- Pick out the best ingredients at a local market, and learn how to make delicious Thai dishes.
- Pick up a a souvenir at this shopper's paradise. Wander through the market to find music, food, and local artists selling handmade crafts.
Day 4: Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong
Drive to Chiang Khong, a sleepy trading town nestled on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. En route, visit Wat Rong Khun (better known among foreigners as the White Temple), an unconventional Buddhist temple designed by prominent Thai painter-turned-architect Chalermchai Kositpipat. Be wowed by the temple’s contemporary exterior made up of a mosaic of mirrors. View the interior walls that have a pop culture and sci-fi influence. Find murals of Batman, Superman, Predator, and the Matrix.
On arrival in Chiang Khong you might like to wander the local food market or sit back and enjoy a slower pace of life relaxing in Thailand with river views of Laos.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5: Chiang Khong to Muang Pakbèng
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list. Cross the border to the Laos immigration area, then take a songthaew (local bus) to a traditional slow boat. Travel down the Mekong River and adjust to the relaxed pace of life in Laos. This predominantly mountainous country has unsurpassed views of the riverside villages, the tropical jungle, and the mountains.
Day 6: Muang Pakbèng to Luang Prabang
Today you travel down the Mekong on our private boat (it’s pretty comfortable and spacious, and there’s a toilet on board). Have some fruit, tea, and coffee (free of charge); water and soft drinks are available for purchase. Bring some warm gear – it can be quite cold from November to February.
Before arriving at Luang Prabang, enjoy a visit to the dramatic Pak Ou caves, considered an important spiritual site by many Lao people. See thousands of Buddha statues and images that line the limestone walls. Afterward, re-board the boat and continue to Luang Prabang, arriving in the early evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7: Luang Prabang
Take a guided tour of the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (TAEC) to learn about the traditional arts and cultures of Laos’s many diverse ethnic groups. Shop in the TAEC Boutique for authentic village-made handicrafts and relax with a drink at the museum café.
Journey to Kuang Si, a magnificent multi-level waterfall, where relaxing is highly recommended. Be sure to pack a swimsuit & explore the picture-perfect pools as well as the nearby Asiatic black bear rescue centre (located between the park entrance and waterfall).
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Optional Activity:
Shop until your heart’s content at the night market in Luang Prabang – one of the best in Southeast Asia. Head to the market around dusk. Tour the vendor stalls lining the streets offering food, wooden statues, clothes, trinkets and souvenirs to dozens of people wandering up and down the market. Don't miss the opportunity to interact with the sellers and gently negotiate a good price.
Day 8: Luang Prabang
Enjoy a free day exploring all Luang Prabang has to offer. Options include cooking classes, temple visits, massages, night market shopping, bike riding, and hiking. Enjoy dinner with a local family in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities:
- Refine your culinary skills with an optional cooking class. Discover the secrets of the delicious local cuisine.
- Grab your life jacket and tour local waters by kayak. Get up close to marine life and see many sights you may miss on shore.
- Rent a bike bike and enjoy the ride.
Day 9: Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng
Drive winding mountain roads through gorgeous scenery to reach Vang Vieng. Experience a local homestay in a nearby village. Learn about life and local culture on this memorable homestay. Experience typical Laotian cuisine; eating (and sleeping) arrangements are shared as a group (usually between two houses). A vegetarian option for the evening meal will be available.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 10: Vang Vieng
Enjoy free time in Vang Vieng. Move to a hotel for the night, an ideal location for exploring the countryside by bicycle or kayak.
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities:
- Rent a bike bike and enjoy the ride.
- Grab your life jacket and tour local waters by kayak. Get up close to marine life and see many sights you may miss on shore. Pack your bathing suit and go for a refreshing swim.
- Enjoy the thrill of cave exploration on a caving expedition.
Day 11: Vang Vieng to Vientiane
Explore the capital of Laos - Vientiane. Head out of the mountains to one of Asia's sleepiest capital cities. Opt to visit some of the highlights of Vientiane including Wat Sisaket, one of the city's oldest and most fascinating temples, and Wat Phra That Luang, Lao's national symbol and one of her most sacred sites. For those who like to shop, don't miss the morning market, which, incidentally, is open all day!
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities:
- Visit Wat Sisaket , one of Vientiane’s oldest and most fascinating temples featuring a cloister wall filled with thousands of Buddha images.
- See Laos’s national symbol and most important sacred monument, Pha That Luang (Great Stupa), completely covered in gold leaf. Every November, devoted Buddhists come here to celebrate Vientiane’s most important festival, Bun That Luang, with parades, music and religious ceremonies.
- Learn about the history, culture, and people of Laos at the National Museum, including the story of the Pathet Lao. See exhibits containing ancient items ranging from dinosaur bones to early Khmer sculptures.
Day 12: Vientiane to Hanoi
Take a short flight from quiet Laos into the bustling city of Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. On arrival a private vehicle will transfer your group to the hotel in the city centre 45min. With a free afternoon in Hanoi, head out and start exploring.
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activity:
Take an orientation walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter, a maze of streets, each one traditionally devoted to a different product or industry. Each street is named after the trade practiced on that street for several generations; it's an interesting glimpse into the life of a Hanoian in one of the oldest parts of town. Need a rest? Stop at Bia Hoi corner and pull up a plastic stool. Drink the local brew with the locals and make new friends.
Day 13: Hanoi
Day in Hanoi, where you visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the former president's house on stilts for insight into an important figure in Vietnam's history. During the afternoon, use some free time to explore this beautiful city. Opt to visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology or just sip delicious Vietnamese iced coffee in a café along the lake. In late afternoon or early evening, attend a performance of Vietnam's famous water puppets before sampling one of Hanoi's amazing eating venues.
Some new travellers may join the group today. Opt to attend their welcome meeting to get to know them.
Meals included: Breakfast
Optional Activities:
- Visit one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam located on the eastern shore of Tay Ho. Learn about Tran Quoc's history from the 17th-century stela found on site. View it later in the day, if you can – the tall structure is striking against the setting sun.
- Visit Temple of Literature (Văn Miếu), a sprawling temple built to honour Confucius, sages, and scholars. Dedicated to learning, it housed the country’s first university in 1076. Explore its five courtyards, containing various gates, altars, sanctuaries, shrines, the stelae of doctors, and the Well of Heavenly Clarity.
- Learn about Vietnam’s various ethnic groups on this visit to the Museum of Ethnology – considered to be the finest modern museum in Vietnam.
Day 14 Hanoi/Ha Long
Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner.
Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.
In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.
Private Vehicle:
Hanoi – Bai Chay4h
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Junk
Ha Long
Skim across the water aboard this iconic traditional Asian sailboat.
Halong Bay Overnight Cruise
Board a traditional junk boat at Ha Long Bay harbour and cruise out onto serene waters. Marvel at massive limestone karst mountains jutting out of the water, creating unforgettable spectacular scenery. Swim, kayak or go cave exploring on one of the islands, if conditions are right. Indulge in fresh seafood meals with a variety of dishes to sample. Drift to sleep in a cozy cabin on board.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 15 Ha Long/Huế
Cruise back to the port and take a private van to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue.
Enjoy breakfast on board before a morning sail back to the port. Drive back to Hanoi for a little more time to enjoy the city before boarding an overnight train.
Private Vehicle
Ha Long – Hanoi4h
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Hanoi Afternoon
Spend a few hours exploring this beautiful capital city. Visit some shops, have a bia hoi on a street corner or grab a coffee in a lakeside café.
Overnight train (beds)
Hanoi – Huế14h-15h
Drive about 15 mins to the station and then board the southbound train for the overnight journey.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 16 Hué
Guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. Optional countryside motorbike tour.
Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors.
After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery. With free time, take a motorbike tour of the area.
While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.
Tien Mu Pagoda Visit
Huế
Visit Tien Mu, one of the tallest and, perhaps, most elegant pagodas in Vietnam, at seven storeys high. Take a step back in time touring this historic temple - built more than 400 years ago along the north shore of the Perfume River, it has been the site of many political protests.
Imperial Citadel Tour
Huế
Tour this one-time capital city and UNESCO World Heritage site. See the walled fortress and former palace, which has many palaces, gateways, courtyards, and gardens to explore. The Forbidden Purple City (modelled on China's Forbidden City) inside the citadel was once home to the imperial family and was significantly damaged during the Vietnam War.
Royal Tombs Visit
Huế
Visit the Royal Tombs along the Perfume River in Hue. Embracing the concept of Feng Shui, these tombs are extremely ornate and provide fantastic insight into the lives of the former rulers.
Optional Activities:
Motorbike Tour
Huế
Hop on the back of a motorbike and let your professional driver take you out into the countryside. Explore rice paddy landscapes and see local villagers at work in the fields. Take in temples, shops, a scenic overlook or two, or, perhaps, an ancient covered bridge – routes can vary on these interesting rides.
Day 17 Huế/Hoi An
Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins.
Start the day touring the wonderful ruins of the Imperial Citadel before heading towards Hoi An in the late morning. Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.
With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.
Private Vehicle
Huế – Hoi An4h
Stretch out and scan the scenery from the comfort of a private ride.
Free Time
Hoi An Afternoon
Use free time in this quaint town to explore any way you like.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 18 Hoi An
Spend two full days exploring all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.
Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch
Hoi An 1h30m
Try some of the oodles of noodles (more than 26 types!) available in the city in this tasty cooking class. Run by Planeterra Foundation partners, STREETS International, the class was developed exclusively for G Adventures. Former street youth that are part of this hospitality training program, will help you prepare and cook a number of different types of noodles. This program helps these youth practice their English, increasing their skill-set and opportunities available to them in the tourism industry. Enjoy your yummy creations while learning more about the local cuisine and this initiative which empowers street youth through skills and employment training.
Free Time
Hoi An Half Day
Explore this charming city.
Optional Activities
Hoi An Cooking Class
Take a cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese food and its distinct flavours. Tour the local market to buy fresh ingredients before preparing some popular regional dishes. Enjoy your creations when you're done!
Bike Rental
Rent a bike from a local shop and head out to explore.
Mỹ Sơn Excursion
Mỹ Sơn
Travel approximately one hour from Hoi An to arrive at My Son. Tour these Hindu temples built between the fourth and 14th centuries; the site is widely accepted as one of the most important Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia. Learn about the architectural style and history of a site that’s often compared to Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Burma.
Lifestart Lantern Making
Hoi An
Add a little light to your life! Visit Lifestart Foundation and learn how to make a traditional lantern from area residents. See how this project, supported by Planeterra, helps local Vietnamese with chronic disabilities gain sustainable employment.
Tailor Shops
Hoi An
Go home with some new (handmade!) clothes from one of Hoi An’s famous tailor shops. Walk the streets lined with hundreds of local shops that turn out gorgeous suits, dresses, winter coats, shoes, purses – almost anything – in a day's time to create next season's wardrobe.
Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch
Day 19 Hoi An
Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.
Free Time
Hoi AnFull Day
Enjoy free time in this charming town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 20 Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City
Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic city.
Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.
Plane
Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City 1h
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 21 Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City.
With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.
Cu Chi Tunnels Guided Tour
Củ Chi
Take a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of tunnels that the Viet Cong lived in to protect themselves from opposing forces during the Vietnam War. Try crawling through some of the tunnels (if you’re not claustrophobic). These tunnels stored ammunition, had underground hospitals, and served as a hidden base for attacking allied forces.
Free Time
Ho Chi Minh CityAfternoon
Get out and explore this frenetic city.
Optional Activities
Thien Hau Pagoda Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Visit the Thien Hau Pagoda, a beautiful temple in the Chinatown district of Ho Chi Minh City. Learn more about the customs associated with this 19th-century monument – it is dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau (the 'Lady of the Sea') who is worshipped in Chinese communities throughout Asia by those who depend on the sea for their livelihoods.
Giac Vien Pagoda Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Find this hidden pagoda behind some small alleyways – it’s a rare treat of a monument that has been spared the over-restoration that has been done to so many temples. Tour the inside of this 18th-century pagoda to see nearly 100 carvings of divine beings.
Ben Thanh Market
Ho Chi Minh City
Wander this bustling market for more insight into Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up souvenirs, sample local cuisine, and experience local living. Talk to your CEO to learn about the market's origins – Ben Thanh started as a cluster of street vendors selling wares by the Saigon River and formalized into a true market in 1859.
Reunification Palace Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Wander the historic halls of the Reunification Palace (Independence Palace), a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City. This former home of the South Vietnamese president during the Vietnam War became the location of the end of the war when a North Vietnamese tank pushed through the palace gates on April 30, 1975.
Cholon Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Take in the busy rhythm of daily life in Cholon, the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. Tour the area full of teahouses, pagodas, and people, and learn a little more about the unique culture within the city.
War Remnants Museum Visit
Ho Chi Minh City
Visit the War Remnants Museum, a gut-wrenching but worthwhile experience that includes three storeys of exhibits and military hardware. Learn about the devastation that occurred in Saigon during the Vietnam War, a period that greatly contrasts the joy and liveliness of the Vietnamese people today.
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 22 Ho Chi Minh City
Depart at any time.
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Holiday Provided By
Organised by Jennifer Kearney
Jennifer Kearney, Travel Specialist
- Call +353 1 6111031
- Email jennifer@gohop.ie